Presentation Profile
Breaking Bad... Bonds: An Integrated Approach to PFAS Destruction in Complex Wastewaters
Currently Scheduled: 10/13/2026 - 10:25 AM - 10:50 AM
Room: Tulip Room
Main Author
Jean-Francois Borny - Lummus Technology
Abstract:
Lummus Technology develops advanced treatment systems for complex industrial wastewaters, with a primary focus on the removal and destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Industrial effluents containing high salinity and elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) present significant mass transfer and materials compatibility challenges, while the exceptional chemical stability of PFAS further complicates treatment. To ensure accurate quantification across diverse wastewater matrices, Lummus utilizes an enhanced version of U.S. EPA Method 1633A, a validated LC-MS/MS method capable of measuring more than 40 PFAS compounds, including precursor species and difficult-to-analyze ultra-short-chain PFAS. These analytical capabilities support both treatment system design and performance verification. Lummus deploys PFAS-specific treatment trains designed to address a broad spectrum of PFAS chemistries. These integrated systems include polishing technologies specifically optimized for low-sorption, highly mobile ultra-short-chain PFAS compounds that can evade conventional adsorption and separation processes. Final destruction is achieved using the Zimpro® Electro-Oxidation (ZEO) process, an advanced electrochemical oxidation technology capable of breaking the strong carbon-fluorine bonds within PFAS molecules and mineralizing them to inorganic fluoride. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on media replacement or contaminant transfer, this process provides true destruction and permanent mass removal rather than redistribution of PFAS within the waste stream. Performance demonstrated across multiple industrial wastewater applications shows that this integrated approach, combining high-resolution PFAS analytics, enhanced removal of both legacy and ultra-short-chain PFAS compounds, and complete electrochemical destruction, provides a robust, scalable, and sustainable solution for PFAS-impacted wastewaters. This presentation will highlight the analytical methodologies, treatment train design, and operating results that demonstrate the effectiveness of Lummus's integrated PFAS destruction platform.
